Sinfield gets promising news on injury

20th June 2013

Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield broke a bone in his hand playing for England a week ago, it has been discovered, but he could be back playing earlier than expected.

The England skipper was initially ruled out for up to six weeks with a dislocated thumb and he underwent surgery on Tuesday.

"Initially we thought it was dislocation and ligament damage but, on inspection, there was a fracture as well," Rhinos head physiotherapist Andy Barker said.

"Having it pinned is not necessarily a bad thing for Kevin and should actually mean he can come back perhaps a week earlier than we initially anticipated."

The injury ended Sinfield's run of 97 consecutive Super League appearances stretching back to August 2010.

Prop Ryan Bailey had a similar operation to Sinfield on the same day which could speed his return and Leeds say centre Kallum Watkins, who was initially expected to be out for eight weeks with an ankle-ligament damage, is also making a fast recovery.

"Kallum is making tremendous progress from his ankle injury and has already taken a couple of weeks off his estimated return date," added Barker.

Leeds had eight regulars missing through injury for Monday's 38-28 win over Widnes Vikings and have centre Joel Moon suspended for Sunday's trip to Huddersfield Giants while prop Brad Singleton is struggling with a leg injury.